cardiac index

The cardiac index is a measurement that helps doctors understand how well your heart is pumping blood relative to your body size. It’s calculated by dividing your heart’s stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped with each beat) by your body surface area. This helps assess heart function more accurately than just looking at the total amount of blood pumped per minute, especially when comparing individuals of different sizes. A normal cardiac index indicates your heart is effectively supplying blood to meet your body's needs, while deviations can signal heart issues.